Namid, 70, Darkhad People, Tsaggan Nuur, MongoliaPhil Borges

Namid, 70, Darkhad People, Tsaggan Nuur, Mongolia

Namid started her shamanic work when she was 14 years old. I watched in amazement as she spent a whole night beating her drum, sweating profusely, spinning wildly and repeatedly falling to the floor, calling on the mountain spirit to help a woman having trouble in pregnancy. She continued to see people the next morning who had come from miles away to seek her help. One by one, she gave them the money I had just given her for my lodging. She said, "if you want to live a long life, continue to help others."